Genizah

Ritual Objects

A genizah is storage for holy items that are no longer usable, such as torn parchments or other ritual objects that are worn out beyond use.

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Honoring the Sacred Scroll

HALAKHAH

The practice of burying a worn-out Torah scroll with a Torah scholar underscores the deep reverence for sacred texts in Judaism. The 16th-century Shulchan Arukh, a key codification of Jewish law, details this respectful disposal method, emphasizing the sanctity of the Torah scroll.

[Regarding] a Torah scroll that became worn out - we place into an earthenware vessel and bury it in the grave of a Torah scholar; even one who only studies the laws and has not served under [higher level] Torah scholars.

Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 154:5

The Sacred Garments of Yom Kippur

COMMENTARY

The linen garments worn by the High Priest on Yom Kippur are so sacred that they must be set aside and never used again. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century biblical commentator, explains this requirement in his commentary on Leviticus.

והניחם שם AND HE SHALL PUT THEM THERE — This teaches us that they (the linen garments) must be laid by and that he must not officiate in those four garments again on any subsequent Day of Atonement (Sifra, Acharei Mot, Chapter 6 7; Yoma 12b).

Rashi on Leviticus 16:23:3

Respecting the Tefillin Straps

HALAKHAH

Proper maintenance and respectful treatment of tefillin straps are essential aspects of Jewish ritual observance. In his 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides provides detailed instructions on the correct handling and replacement of torn tefillin straps.

Should a strap be torn, [the pieces] should not be tied or sewn together. Rather, it should be removed and entombed, and another one [substituted for it].
The remnants of [torn] straps are not acceptable unless their length and width meets - or exceeds - the minimum requirements.
At all times, a person should be careful that the external surface of the straps faces upward when he ties them on his arm and head.

Mishneh Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah and the Torah Scroll 3:19

The Sanctity of Torah Scroll Cases

TALMUD

Even items made to protect Torah scrolls, such as cases and sacks, are considered sacred and must be interred when no longer in use. The Talmud in Tractate Megillah discusses the sanctity of objects associated with Torah scrolls and their proper treatment.

And Rava also said: With regard to these cases for storing scrolls of one of the five books of the Torah and sacks for storing Torah scrolls, they are classified as articles of sanctity. Therefore, they are to be interred when they are no longer in use. The Gemara asks: Isn’t that obvious? The Gemara answers: Lest you say that since these items are not made for the honor of the scrolls but rather are made merely to provide protection, they should not be classified as articles of sanctity…

Megillah 26b:12

Rescuing Sacred Writings on Shabbat

MISHNAH

The Mishnah emphasizes the sanctity of sacred texts, even to the extent of permitting their rescue from a fire on Shabbat. This early third-century legal text outlines the conditions under which sacred writings can be saved from a fire on Shabbat, regardless of the language they are written in.

With regard to all sacred writings, one may rescue them from the fire on Shabbat, whether they are read in public, e.g., Torah or Prophets scrolls, or whether they are not read in public, e.g., Writings scrolls. This ruling applies even though they were written in any foreign language. According to the Rabbis, those scrolls are not read in public, but they are still sacred and require burial. And why does one not read the Writings on Shabbat? Due to suspension of Torah study in the study hall…

Mishnah Shabbat 16:1

Solomon Schechter studying the fragments of the Cairo Genizah, c. 1898.

Ritual Objectsתשמישי קדושה

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